.45 acp revolver vs .45 auto

[cfullgraf]

To the experts that have .45 acp revolvers, do they kick more than a .45 auto? Doesn't the slide spring absorb some of that recoil?

I do not think there is a marked difference in recoil between a 4” barrel and up revolver and a 5” 1911.

I’ve not shot a Commander 45 ACP much so I can’t comment there.

Not exactly apples and apples compaison but I have a 3” 44 Special N- frame revolver and the recoil borders on being objectionable. Not 44 Mag objectionable but I’d much rather shoot a 4” 44 Special. So, I’d suspect a 3” 45 ACP revolver would be similar.

 

[halfmoonclip]

Happy to see I'm not the only guy with a a pistol caliber revolver jones.
The moon clips aren't too big an aggravation with the proper tools; the .45s are generally a lot less trouble than some of the 9mms.
As regards recoil, it depends on the gun and the load; still think a full sized 1911 is the mildest shooter of the lot. The lugged barrel 625s aren't bad, the alloy 325 is another matter.
There are two ways to look at the 325; use light loads for the range, and carry it with hardball or other full powered ammo. I load some light bullet/light loads in AutoRim cases.
The other 625s get my standard .45 load that runs in the autos, which is about 75'sec off full power hardball. The 3" rides pretty well in a shoulder rig.
Measured velocity is another wild card; some revolvers produce more velocity than the same load in an auto. Am off home station right now, so I can't quote numbers.
As regards ease of fire, Smith N frames respond well to tuning, and a good one really rolls thru nicely...the single action is superb.
Full disclosure, the .45s are range guns; a 365 is just a whole lot easier to carry.
Moon

 

[nettlle]

I do not think there is a marked difference in recoil between a 4” barrel and up revolver and a 5” 1911.

I’ve not shot a Commander 45 ACP much so I can’t comment there.

Not exactly apples and apples compaison but I have a 3” 44 Special N- frame revolver and the recoil borders on being objectionable. Not 44 Mag objectionable but I’d much rather shoot a 4” 44 Special. So, I’d suspect a 3” 45 ACP revolver would be similar.

I have two aluminum framed 4" Commanders, one in 9mm and one in 45acp. The recoil on the 45acp has a little more snap to it but not terribly so. I can shoot both equally well.

 

[buck460XVR]

I havent been on here for several months so hope this isnt an old subject. I am 68 and my hands sometimes have problems racking my 1911s. I am looking at either a 9mm or .45 acp revolver, double action of course for carry purpose, so short barrel etc.

Do you have lot of 9mm/.45ACP ammo to shoot, or is there another reason you want to stick with rimless ammo for a revolver? Me, personally, would go to a .44 special if I intended to go revolver instead of having to mess with moonclips.

 

[Buzznrose]

I havent been on here for several months so hope this isnt an old subject. I am 68 and my hands sometimes have problems racking my 1911s. I am looking at either a 9mm or .45 acp revolver, double action of course for carry purpose, so short barrel etc. Is there much difference in performance in a revolver and an auto pistol in .45 acp? Hope this isnt a dumb question.

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[DR505]

I do not think there is a marked difference in recoil between a 4” barrel and up revolver and a 5” 1911.

I’ve not shot a Commander 45 ACP much so I can’t comment there.

Not exactly apples and apples compaison but I have a 3” 44 Special N- frame revolver and the recoil borders on being objectionable. Not 44 Mag objectionable but I’d much rather shoot a 4” 44 Special. So, I’d suspect a 3” 45 ACP revolver would be similar.

I find that the 3" .45 ACP revolver is easy to shoot, far easier than my 3" 657 .41 magnum. The Combat Commander as well seems very controllable.

 

[halfmoonclip]

Nine millimeter Commanders are sweethearts; .45s perhaps not so much. The Combat Commander settles down the .45.
The two appeals of pistol caliber revolvers are the commonality of cartridges with other things you have, and they are just plain interesting.
Moon

 

[Jonesy814]

I have a Springfield 1911 and a 5 inch model 625. The 1911 weighs 39 ounces. The 625 weighs 44 ounces. In spite of being heavier, the recoil feels sharper with the revolver.
Technically it should be about the same but I think the recoil is delivered over a slighty longer time period with the 1911 and I feel the tilting barrel, slide friction, recoil spring compression and the force needed to get the slide moving has to bleed off energy

 

[StrawHat]

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Kevin

 

[Rodfac]

I have a Smith M 1955 heavy bbl. (6") .45 ACP as well as several 1911's, and find no real difference in 'felt' recoil between them, at least for steel framed 1911's, 5" or Commander length. For the alloy frames, there is a difference, but does not affect shootability IMHO. Rod

 

[Vern Humphrey]

You only have to rack an M1911 once -- before you holster it. Thereafter carry it cocked and locked. If you have difficulty racking it, try this: Put the edge of the slide on the edge of a table and push down.

 

[sgt127]

I love revolvers. Grew up shooting them. I also have dainty, small (though strong) hands.

Revolvers, in any substantial caliber hurt my hand now. There is a magic spot just off the first joint of my thumb that takes a hit whenever I shoot a revolver. A rubber grip, with a covered back strap, helps but, the gun is even further off center from the web of my hand when I shoot. Nailing that spot even harder.

I can shoot a 1911 all day long. My Colt 1917? 10 rounds and, I’m done.

Sig P239 in 357 Sig (single stack) all day. No problem. K or N Frame Smith? One cylinder full of full house magnums, and I’m done.

The horn at the top of a revolver grips is like a splitting maul on my thumb.

Interesting how different people work through little obstacles. And find what works for them.

Anyway, other than barrel length and a little velocity lost from the barrel cylinder gap, the .45 revolver should serve you well. A .45 ACP doesn’t know, or care, what it’s being fired out of.

 

[highlander 5]

I find my 625 revolvers easier to shoot than a semi auto. You might want to try a lighter bullet say 185 gr to reduce recoil. There's only one company that loads 45 Auto rim and I think that's Buffalo Bore.

 

[highlander 5]

You might want to look at Ruger's version of the combat comender in 9 mm. Slide is very easy to rack and recoil is next to nothing. I have one and found the factory recoil spring a bit light had some ftf replaced with a 12 lb spring from Wilson and alls right with the world.

 

[loadedround]

I have to jump into this discussion to stick my two cents in regarding this 45 ACP semi auto/revolver discussion. First of all I've been shooting and reloading for over 50 years now, so I have a fairly good idea on which end the bullet exits. The 45 ACP just happens to be my favorite pistol caliber and at present own a total of eight 45 ACP's; two DA revolvers, two Sig DA semi autos, and four 1911 style semi autos. In addition I have a 45 Colt/45 ACP convertable Ruger Blackhawk and a S&W Model 25 in 45 ACP (use with moon clips). Of my whole collection, I enjoy shooting my Smith Model 25 the most, as it has one of the finest triggers I've ever used in both DA/SA and is extremly accurate...probably my favorite pistol of them all. However they all get a turn at the range at least once a year. BTW, I haven't seen 45 AR ammo in a gun store for probably 10-15 years. I have a stash of empties and I do reload this round.

 

[Tacoma]

I have several of both. While I'd be hard pressed to give up my 1911's, I do REALLY enjoy my SW 625's. IMHO, the revolver has a few advantages over the semiauto.
1) No chasing brass at the range!
2) Eats anything, including low power loads that would choke most semi's.
3) ability to change grips to better fit the shooter (and /or better absorb recoil).
4) Simplicity of operation. Pull the trigger it goes BANG. No safeties, slide stops, mag release etc to fumble.

 

[halfmoonclip]

Like to shoot the pistol caliber revos down at camp, as they leave no brass to police.
Still load some .45 AR, but mostly save it for light loads for the 325.
Moon

 

[Archie]

Have several versions of the full size pistol, a couple of the (lightweight) Commander and a S&W Model 25-2 barrel cut to four inches (it was that way when it came to live with me).
Yes, there is a difference in muzzle velocity with the different length barrels.
No, not enough to bother.

 

[NORTHERN LEAD]

I have a ruger convertable 45 acp/45colt realy like shooting them but when I try to reload 45 acp they don"t chamber. Tried taper crimping more, no luck. They work flawlessly in my 1911"s. 230 lrn at 1.235 oal, any idea? Factory are find.

 

[zaitcev]

I have a .45 ACP Pitbull, same as Tallball has in the photo. The recoil is stiff and unpleasant, the trigger is obviously long and overall it's a difficult gun for me. I am thinking about getting rid of it. Only have some 400 rounds on it, never wanted to add more.

If I were looking at something better for arthritic hands, I'd get a racking gadget of some kind. At least then I'd have a chance to hit something at that I aim. I had a good experience with a replacement backplate on a Glock that extended to the sides of the slide, like T-handle of AR-15. The slide-mounted safety of Beretta Px4 may work for it.

 

[Charlie Martinez]

The new Charter Arms 45 ACP revolver does not require moon clips and the relatively low price would make it my first choice 45 ACP wheel gun for SD. If anyone has one you might let us know a little about it.

 

[Charlie Martinez]

Just realized zaitcev already did what I asked. Doesn't sound too good.

 

[Mac Attack]

I think a .45 acp revolver is a nice change of pace and if you already have 1911’s then it makes sense to buy a revolver. I had a S&W model 22-45 that had the case hardened finish I think done by Turnbulls. It was beautiful and loaded using moon clips or 45 Auto Rim rounds and shot great. I even used it to shoot a couple of action matches with it. I was slow as hell but I learned a thing or two about reloading from a pocket and trigger control through the shot. I ended up trading it for a Detonics Combatmaster and immediately regretted it. My model 22 was a joy to shoot and one day I will have another .45 acp revolver.

 

[CoalTrain49]

To the experts that have .45 acp revolvers, do they kick more than a .45 auto? Doesn't the slide spring absorb some of that recoil?

My impression is they just recoil in a different manner. The 1911 seems more balanced in my hand and dissipates the energy differently. I notice more muzzle rise in my 625-8 than my Gold Cup. I shoot my 625 better because I put a dot on it. Probably won't do that on my GC.

 

[CoalTrain49]

Do you have lot of 9mm/.45ACP ammo to shoot, or is there another reason you want to stick with rimless ammo for a revolver? Me, personally, would go to a .44 special if I intended to go revolver instead of having to mess with moonclips.

That's the ticket. S&W 3" 624. I have moon clips and don't mind using those, but I've found other issues loading 45 ACP for revolvers. Revolvers pull taper crimped bullets if you use range brass. If I had it to do over again I would have a 624 instead of a 625. I might still buy one and sell the 625. I just got set up to load 44 Spl. I'm looking.

S&W discontinued the 625 so they aren't yugely popular anymore. But then neither is a 624. Rims for revolvers and rimless for auto loaders. Everything else is a compromise.